Latest news with #DomesdayBook
Spectator
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Spectator
The people of Epping are fed up of being ignored
'We are facing a long, hot summer', warned a report social cohesion on Tuesday, 'with a powder keg of tensions left largely unaddressed from last year that could easily ignite once again'. It only took two days for the first sign of this grim prediction coming true. This time, though, the expression of public fury at migration failures was not in 'left-behind' northern towns like Hull or Hartlepool – or even like last month in Ballymena, where tight-knit loyalist communities have a history of kicking off to defend their interests. Thursday's protests – and later clashes – at an asylum hotel were in the quiet Essex market town of Epping, population 12,000, mentioned in the Domesday Book and a well-heeled part of the London commuter belt at the terminus of the Central Line. The trigger was an alleged sexual assault by a migrant. On 7 July, Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker, is alleged to have tried to kiss a schoolgirl as she ate pizza on Epping high street. He had arrived in the UK via a small boat only eight days previously. He has denied three charges of sexual assault across two days, and the protests coincided with his appearance in court for a hearing ahead of a two-day trial next month. He spoke via an interpreter, and according to the prosecution has 'no ties to anyone or any place in the UK'. The site of the protests was the Bell Hotel, where Kebatu had been living. Having been used to house male asylum seekers in Epping for several years, and sitting less than 500 yards from a coeducational secondary school, it was already a major local grievance. Following the alleged sexual assault, the leader of Epping Forest District Council called for the Home Office to close the asylum hotel 'without delay'. He was joined two local Tory MPs – Epping Forest's Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart of Brentwood and Ongar. Commentator Adam Brooks, who was at the protest, reported to GB News that it began entirely peacefully – 'great-natured' with grandparents and children. 'People attended the earlier protest and did so peacefully, lawfully and responsibly', an Essex Police official said, adding: 'I'd like to thank them for expressing their views this way given the strength of feeling locally.' In Brook's view, it was only when so-called anti-racism protestors arrived and were allowed to march by the demonstration, flanked by police, that tensions flared, with many local youths coming out to confront them. Some were later escorted away in riot vans. During the Southport riots last year, it was often claimed that much of the disorder was the result of opportunist 'thugs' who had arrived from out of town to stir up trouble. At yesterday's protest, it seems it was after the arrival of these left-wing protestors, often masked and with 'Refugees Welcome' placards, that disorder began. While Essex Police made a point of describing earlier protestors as 'legitimately protesting', there is evidence of apparent harsh police treatment of some involved. In social media footage, one police van appears to hit a man and push him down the street before he gets out the way. Another clip shows a man confronting police apparently being hit in the face with a riot shield. Essex Police said it believed several suspects were responsible for damaging police vehicles, the hotel, preventing access to Epping High Road, and assaulting officers, with one left with a minor injury to the neck. 'We know the people who carried out these crimes do not represent Epping or Essex', it added. While parts of the press are presenting those involved as 'far-right supporters', or an 'anti-immigrant mob', in footage of protesters, they seem more to be ordinary locals who are simply fed up with being ignored by the political class. 'We're good, local, taxpaying people' says a smartly dressed mother-of-three in a speech through a megaphone, standing on the back of a van adorned with St. George's crosses. Why were the police 'allowing agitators to come and fight against us?' she asks, eliciting a cheer, before voicing her typical concerns about illegal migration. Unvetted men are coming across the channel every day who 'don't share our values', she said, who 'don't respect women' and 'don't respect children'. The UK, she laments, is 'a soft touch' for migrants. Apparently entirely impromptu, her speech is heartfelt, patriotic, and potent: 'Every child's right is to walk to school and not fear that they are going to be sexually assaulted or raped. We do not live in a third world country. This is the United Kingdom the last time I looked.' This fed up, outspoken Essex mum doesn't care that the 'anti-racism' types and left-wing media will try and smear people like her: if she's 'far-right' for standing up for schoolgirls' safety, she says, 'then so be it'.
The Herald Scotland
12-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Hunton Manor in Hampshire on the market for price of £14m
Listed for a price of £14m by Savills, Hunton Manor has plenty of features and historical background that may be attractive to buyers. It is located in Sutton Scotney, near Winchester, and has leisure facilities including a swimming pool and tennis court. The earliest mention of Hunton in historical documents is in a charter of Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great. Hunton Manor has several landscape gardens surrounding it (Image: Savills) Savills adds: "In 909 he granted the manor to the Bishop of Winchester. It was mentioned again in the Domesday Book and again in the Norman Distribution. "Later it reverted to the Crown, and in 1309 Edward II granted the manor to his son-in-law, Ralph Monthermer. "For nearly 250 years it was in the hands of owners who were either connected by blood or marriage to the Sovereign." The manor retains plenty of Georgian features (Image: Savills) The present manor house was built in the early 18th century and has gone through a few owners since then. The full profile of Hunton Manor can be found on the Savills website here. The kitchen (Image: Savills) Take a look around Hunton Manor Hunton Manor is a showcase of Georgian architecture, which is visible from its "meandering" driveway that sweeps round to the front of the property. Inside, there are features such as tall ceilings, "ancient" oak floors, light-filled rooms and "exquisite fireplaces" which can be found across four floors. The dining room (Image: Savills) The kitchen boasts a four-door Aga cooker and painted wood wall and floor units. Benched seating surrounds the table in the breakfast area, and directly off this area, you can find a pantry, a cloakroom and a flower room. The library/sitting room (Image: Savills) Other notable parts of the manor include the dual-aspect dining room, which overlooks the front of the house. It contains full-height oak panelling and cornicing feature, with a marble fireplace and hearth. One of the bedrooms (Image: Savills) Other rooms include the study, library/sitting room and a drawing room with a built-in drinks cupboard. Externally, Hunton Manor has formal landscaped gardens, such as a vegetable garden, a rose garden and an ornamental cherry walk. The swimming pool (Image: Savills) Another impressive feature comes in the form of the pool house, which has a spa complex, jacuzzi and bar among other things. Elsewhere, there is a full-sized grass tennis court, manège, stable yard with four loose boxes and a tack room. The tennis court (Image: Savills) Recommended reading: Just beyond the vegetable garden is a second gravel driveway leading to Hunton Lodge. Savills adds: "Tucked away behind a wall are the gardeners' sheds and a brick-built, temperature-controlled wine store. "At one end is a bridge playing room. The land is divided into paddocks, all with water supplied."
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Perfect new family destination for lovers of the Lake District – it's a kids' adventure paradise
Explore this tranquil, rolling countryside at the eastern edge of the district. MOOR THE MERRIER Perfect new family destination for lovers of the Lake District – it's a kids' adventure paradise Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IMAGINE wandering through pretty woodland and stumbling upon a lost castle and dragon's lair that doubles as one of the UK's largest adventure playgrounds. It awakens memories, real and embellished by the passage of time, of those perfect outdoor adventures of our childhood. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Eden Grove sleeps up to 10 4 There's loads to explore 4 Our adventurers loved the castle And listening to the delighted shrieks of our own children as they zipped, swung and climbed among the ancient pine canopies and forts brought joy — and a blessed relief from their zombie inducing screens! Forget Fortnight this is Fort right. Lowther Castle in Cumbria was the destination for our daring day out. And what a discovery this 19th century ruin with award-winning gardens was just a few miles from our weekend home in nearby Appleby. Our 10-strong squad with its famous five adventurers Avie, Joseph, Maisie, Molly and Dizzy the dog were accommodated in fine style at Eden Grove. This converted country house, with large and sumptuous living space is just a few miles from the town famous for its annual horse fair — perfectly located to explore this tranquil, rolling countryside at the eastern edge of the Lake District. Think less lakes and more moors. After a perfectly packed day playing in and venturing around Lowther's stunning gardens and ruins, before sampling delicious local produce in the castle cafe, Eden Grove was a blissful base to get back to. With cinema room, games room and a modern open-plan dining zone — bright and airy with added sofa area — there was plenty of space for our tribes to coexist in harmony. Time to unwind with a game of pool and a few hands of Uno while we opened a bottle of plonk and prepared dinner in the gratefully well-equipped kitchen. The spacious luxury of this modified manor continued upstairs when bedtime eventually arrived for the young squad. Four huge double bedrooms — two with en-suite and a third separate bathroom — all with super comfy beds and high ceilings added to the feeling of space. We even had a dressing room in the master suite, bigger than most bedrooms and perfect for the kids to use during hide and seek. Well-rested, and well-fuelled by delicious baps bursting with locally-made Cumberland sausages the following morning, we rounded up the troops and set off for more adventures in this garden of Eden valley. At the time the Domesday Book was scribed in 1086 this stunning moorland was known as Scottish Cumberland as it served then as a boundary marker between England and Scotland. Now known as Westmorland, the area is a paradise of historic towns and ancient monuments — none more so than neolithic stone circle Long Meg and her Daughters. At 120metres wide, Meg and her 68 girls are the UK's third largest circle. Pausing to take in this glorious moorland scenery, kids and dog running with joy in the sunshine, breeze ruffling hair and fur alike, it felt for a moment as if a whisper of historic horse hooves and pagan ceremonies could be heard on the wind. The place was Megical. GO: CUMBRIA A WEEK'S stay at Eden Grove starts from £1,300, sleeping 10 people in 4 bedrooms and up to 2 dogs. To book a break, visit Our final stop of the day was historic Appleby itself. The pretty River Eden, where travellers wash their horses before the annual sale, runs through the market town. A walk and paddle here was an ideal way to cool off after a day in the sunshine. The town has an old world charm and with a Norman Castle to explore, a great pool and plenty of cycling and walking routes, it's a must visit when in this part of Cumbria. 'Home' for a kickabout with the kids in the garden of Eden Grove before a majestic steak pie at the nearby New Crown Inn, was the perfect way to end our group adventure. We've enjoyed many happy holidays in the 'lakier' parts of this District, but the gorgeous fells and gentle hills to be discovered east of the M6 was moor than ideal for our merry mob of adventurers.
Metro
23-06-2025
- Metro
'Bonkers' UK bus is 'world's rarest' and runs on the fifth Saturday of the month
If you live in Devon and fancy a day by the seaside, there's a handy bus service that can take you to the coast. But be sure to get to the bus stop on time — if you miss it, there won't be another one for nine months. The 112 bus from Tavistock to Dawlish only runs from April to September, on every fifth Saturday, when there is one in the month. The unusual schedule means that there are only two return journeys per year. You've already missed the first for 2026, which was on May 31, but there is a second on the timetable for August 30. The 16-seat mini bus departs from Tavistock at 9:05am, returning from Dawlish at 3:30pm, making 25 stops in total. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Unsurprisingly, the quirky 112, which has been dubbed the 'rarest bus in the world' by the Telegraph, has become somewhat of a tourist attraction, so seats on the bus fill up quickly. However, half of the seats are available to be pre-booked online, while the others are first come, first serve. The service, run by Tavistock Country Bus, is powered completely by volunteers — which may explain why its so infrequent. The famous route is also one of the UK's most beautiful. The two hour journey passes through Dartmoor National Park, with stops in Princetown, home to the notorious HMP Dartmoor, and Ashburton, a market town recorded in the Domesday Book. More Trending You can also alight at Two Bridges, and visit one of the UK's rainforests, which is supposedly haunted by a 'ghost dog'. If none of these places take your fancy though, the 112 operates a 'hail and ride' system, meaning the bus will stop anywhere on the route, as long as its safe to do so. Blogger, Roger French, who writes about his journeys on the UK's public transport network, rode the 112 in May this year. He called it 'a fabulous ride and a true quirky experience,' adding that, if you want to claim your spot on the bus, you need to be prepared. 'When I checked, there's at least four names on the waiting list in case a cancellation comes up,' he said. Meanwhile, writer Matt Harrison, completed a Year of Buses series back in 2019, in which he catalogued 365 bus routes around the UK. He called the 112 'an eccentric and completely bonkers set-up' The UK's cheapest train ticket costs just 10p, but it doesn't really get you anywhere. A 'Platform Ticket' grants you access to the station platform for 60 minutes after being issued. They're not valid on trains and are only good for the station where they were issued. Flixbus has launched a new route connecting London and Brighton for as little as £4.49. The twice-daily FlixBus service, which welcomed its first passengers on June 13, does take a little longer than the train at around 2 hours and 25 minutes, but is considerably cheaper than most train fares to the seaside. The stretch of railway between Settle, North Yorkshire, and Carlisle in Cumbria claimed the number one spot on Lonely Planet's list of the most scenic train rides in Europe. The journey through the Yorkshire Dales passes the Ribblehead Viaduct and stops at several charming countryside stations. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I flew 6,000 miles to meet a stranger for a date MORE: Interactive map shows where Windrush passengers settled across the UK MORE: 'Just gorgeous': Your favourite European islands that aren't in Greece
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'England's prettiest village' is 'like North Korea' as drones snoop on homes
People living in 'England's prettiest village' say tourists are unleashing swarms of drones and 'spying' on their homes - leaving them feeling like they 'live in North Korea' Residents of a picturesque village described as England's 'most beautiful' say they are being terrorised by drones flying over their homes - and have compared it to living in North Korea. Castle Combe in the Cotswolds attracts tourists from all over the world thanks to its charming rows of cottages and enchanting winding streets - but a new trend among some visitors has left many locals feeling "spied on" and worried for their own safety. An increasing number of day-trippers are said to be bringing drones with them to capture aerial footage of the Wiltshire village to share on social media, putting them at odds with villagers and even reportedly leading to the police being called on multiple occasions. One resident, Hilary Baker, told the MailOnline: "You feel like you're being spied on, like you're living in North Korea." It comes amid a rise in reports of other invasive and unwelcome behaviours from tourists, and Hilary said others had been spotted using using suction-cups to attach their phones to cottage windows to take photograph of themselves. On other occasions, nuisance visitors are said to have peeked through windows, used drones to observe villagers while they're in the bath, and even peeked through their letterboxes to have a look inside. Some residents have now taken to putting up 'no drones' signs in their windows, though this is not thought to have halted the trend. Villager Draven McConville said he had stepped in on multiple occasions in to ask people not to use the devices, including one man who had launched one from the bottom of his driveway. While many of these resulted in "reasonable conversations" which saw the drone users pack them away, other visitors have subjected him to "verbal abuse for no real reason", he told the BBC. A sign has also been put up in the village's car park asking visitors not to fly drones within 50 metres of people's property. Castle Combe is often hailed as one of Britain's most idyllic villages, and its rustic charm has seen it act as the setting for a number of popular blockbusters, including Stardust, The Wolf Man, and Steven Spielberg's War Horse. Its unique weavers' cottages are constructed from local stone, and stand largely unchanged from down the centuries as a result of strict building regulations. Modern fixtures like satellite dishes and external wiring on house exteriors are forbidden, and tight planning permissions restrictions apply to the size of extensions and garden buildings. The village, which was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086, prospered the success of 'Castlecombe', a red and white cloth that was in high demand in markets across the south of England.
